Performing at the limit

Evonik presents new VESTAMID® molding compound for applications in professional sports

Evonik has developed a new high-performance plastic for demanding applications in professional sports. VESTAMID® CW1401 is an impact‑modified polyamide 12 (PA 12) which combines good elasticity and stability at temperatures as low as -40°C.

The new PA 12 molding compound has excellent low-temperature impact strength which, at 101 kJ/m², is twice as strong as other materials. This means that it can be used in applications where extreme pressure is applied and where stable properties are required from the materials at low temperatures.

This combination makes VESTAMID® CW1401 the material of choice for the new ski and snowboard boots of the Austrian professional brand UPZ. “In downhill ski races and especially in snowboard races, the pressure applied to the boot is several times greater than is the case with the average amateur skier or boarder,” says Wolfgang Aigner, managing director of AITEC GmbH. “The material used in the boot must be capable of permanently withstanding extreme loads.”

VESTAMID® CW1401 fulfills all these criteria. The boot parts that are subject to the greatest pressure are manufactured from Evonik’s high-performance plastic using an injection-molding process. They ensure optimal power transfer during the race while allowing the greatest possible flexibility and maximum comfort.

“New innovative products, which have been custom developed in close collaboration with our customers, form an important pillar of our organic growth,” says Dr. Iordanis Savvopoulos, head of the Granules & Compounds Product Line at Evonik..

New meaning of “Added value for sport”

For almost 30 years, Evonik has been supplying innovative Smart Materials concepts to the sporting industry. The High Performance Polymers Business Line has given a new meaning to the claim “Added value for sport.” As a partner in the development and manufacture of high-performance polymers with a global production, distribution, and service network, we have made a significant contribution to the successful implementation of new ideas and product concepts of the leading sports equipment manufacturers. In our research centers in Marl and Darmstadt (Germany), Shanghai (China), and Indiana (USA) we collaborate closely with the sporting goods industry to develop innovative material solutions which enable our customers to meet the market requirements of today and tomorrow.

The Austrian manufacturer of UPZ-brand ski and snowboard boots relies on the high-performance plastic polyamide 12 from Evonik’s VESTAMID® brand.